New Mexico Professional Athletes

The NFL door hasn't closed on Damon Bankston yet — and a classic NFC powerhouse may be the one to open it back up.

The New Mexico alum and rookie running back, who spent portions of the 2026 season on the Green Bay Packers' practice squad, worked out for the Dallas Cowboys on Tuesday, Nov. 3 — just two weeks after his release from Green Bay. The workout, first reported by NFL reporter Aaron Wilson and surfaced by Heavy Sports, signals genuine interest from a Cowboys backfield that's always in the market for capable depth.

Bankston's path has been a quintessential undrafted journey: earn a spot on a practice squad, stay ready, and bet on yourself when the opportunity comes. A workout with Dallas isn't a contract, but in the NFL's churning roster economy, it's a meaningful signal. The Cowboys have a history of scouting their way to hidden-gem backs, and Bankston — a New Mexico product — now gets his shot to make that case in front of one of the league's most visible organizations.

Around the League

New Mexico's NFL footprint extends beyond Bankston's situation. Punter Corey Bojorquez suited up for the Cleveland Browns in a rough Sunday outing, as Cleveland fell to Pittsburgh 27-6 on Nov. 1. It was a tough day all around for the Browns, though Bojorquez remains one of the more reliable specialists the Lobos have produced at the pro level.

Kicker Jason Sanders and the New York Jets dropped a close one to Las Vegas, 38-33, on Nov. 1 — a loss that stings in a tight AFC wild card race. Sanders has remained a fixture in New York's special teams operation, a steady presence in an otherwise turbulent Jets season.

The rest of UNM's active NFL contingent — Jacory Croskey-Merritt (Commanders), Dylan Horton (Texans), Jerrick Reed II (Cardinals), D'Arco Perkins-McAllister (Chiefs), A.J. Haulcy (Colts), Keyshawn James-Newby (Eagles), J.C. Davis (Giants), and D'Angelo Ross (Browns) — rounds out one of the more quietly impressive NFL alumni rosters from a Mountain West program.

For now, though, all eyes are on Bankston. A Cowboys signing would give him a high-profile platform to prove what he showed flashes of in Green Bay — and it would add another chapter to the kind of underdog story Lobo fans have been following all season.

Two University of New Mexico alumni lined up on opposite sidelines Sunday in Cleveland, and the moment that defined the Jets' 17–12 win over the Browns had both of their fingerprints on it.

The Lobo Bowl That Wasn't

Browns punter Corey Bojorquez and Jets kicker Jason Sanders don't share a field often, but when they do, the stakes apparently come with them. In a tight, defensive grind, Bojorquez's fumbled snap proved to be the critical turning point — a miscue that allowed New York to rally and walk away with the victory. The Browns fell to the Jets 17–12, with Bojorquez's error looming large over a game Cleveland had the look of winning.

Sanders, meanwhile, was on the right side of the scoreboard. The Jets' veteran kicker contributed to a New York offense that capitalized when Cleveland stumbled. It was a rare head-to-head moment for two Lobos alumni who have quietly built durable NFL careers as specialists — and Sunday's result was a reminder of just how much a single special teams mistake can swing a game.

Rookie edge rusher David Bailey added three sacks and four tackles for loss in the win, giving the Jets' defense the teeth it needed to hold Cleveland at bay even before Bojorquez's fumble opened the door.

Reed Gets His Shot in the Desert

Out in the NFC West, another Lobo was earning a different kind of opportunity. The Arizona Cardinals elevated safety Jerrick Reed II from the practice squad on Saturday, Oct. 17, ahead of their Week 6 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams. Reed, who spent time with the Seattle Seahawks and earned recognition as a standout on their All-Rookie team, got the call alongside running back Evan Hull as Arizona looked to bolster its roster for the divisional clash.

Practice squad elevations are fleeting by nature, but for a player working his way back into a regular role, getting active on game day in a divisional matchup is meaningful. Reed has the pedigree — his Seahawks tenure put him on the map — and the Cardinals clearly see enough to keep him in the mix.

The Bigger Picture

New Mexico doesn't produce NFL alumni in volume, but the Lobos continue to punch above their weight at the specialist and defensive back positions. Bojorquez and Sanders have both carved out careers in a role where the margin for error is razor-thin — Sunday was a stark demonstration of that reality, one painful for Browns fans and satisfying for Jets faithful. Reed, meanwhile, is still fighting for consistent snaps, but another elevation keeps his NFL story alive.

Three Lobos, two sidelines, one brutal fumble. Week 6 was a lot for Albuquerque to process.